Ecclesiastical within the bounds according to the discipline of the Kirk And finally the act of annexation of the temporalitie of the benefices to the crown of necessitie demolishes and beares down all the Bishops Iam. 6 Parl. 1◠cap. 29. CHAP. VIII That they are against the honour of God and his Christ THe standing for the maintenance of the kingdome of God and whom hee hath anointed his King upon his holy mountaine the Lord Iesus Christ is to their honour like as to slide from it and leaue it to follow after the world is against the honour of God and Christ To hear the word of God and to do it is the special honouring of God of that great Pastor of the sheep the Lord Iesus Christ As by the cōtrary the rejecting of his word and casting it off behind their back is his dishonour And finally to build plant with God is to honour him so to cast down root out that which by the Ministerie of his notable servants he hath builded and planted is to his high dishonor But so it is as I haue verified shown that Bishopricks makes men to slide away from the Kingdome of Christ to leaue it and follow the world to reject his word and cast it behind their back And finally to cast down and root out that which Christs faithfull servants hath bigged and planted even that sincerity of the Gospell freedom of the Kirk of Christ brought to such perfection and so well established left unto us by them and so with the Scribes and Pharises to seek the glory of men rather then of God to seek honor one of another and not to honour Christ nor to seek to be acceptable unto him And is it not alas a horrible dishonouring of God and the preaching of his blessed veritie vvord to flatter men annoint their filthie flesh with earthly honor wealth sensualitie to make Christs holy Ministers to be loathed sclandered and evil spoken of And as the Lord rebuked Eli the Priest his sons vvhose sinnes vvere great before the Lord in making men to abhorre the Lords Ministers and offerings Therfore the Lord threatned them by Samuel saying Wherfore haue ye kicked against my sacrifice my offrings which I commanded in my tabernacle and honors thy children aboue me to make your selfe fit of the first fruits of all the offerings of my people Israel wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith I said thy house and the house of thy fathers should walke before me for ever But now the Lord saith it shall not be so for they that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be despised And now O yee Priests cryed Malachie this commandement is for you if ye will not heare it not consider it in your heart to giue glorie unto my name J will even send a curse upon you and will cursse your blessings yea I haue cursed them alreadie because ye doe not consider it in your hearts Behold I will corrupt your seed and cast dong upon your faces even the dong of your solemne feasts and ye shall be like unto it and yee shall know that I haue sent this commandement unto you that my covenant which I haue made with Levi might stand saith the Lord of hosts My covenant was with him of life and peace and equitie and he did turne many away from iniquitie For the Priests lips should preserue knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts But ye are gone out of the way ye haue caused many to fall by the Law ye haue broken the covenant of Levi saith the Lord of hosts Therefore I haue also made you to be despised and vile before all the people because yee keep not my wayes CHAP. IX That this Bishoprie is against the honour and weale of the Kings Majestie IS it not the Kings vveale honour to honour God to loue fear obey him to be wise and learned to serue God in fear and rejoice in trembling to kisse the Son lest he be angry to be a nurs-father to the Kirk to be an avenger of all breakers of Gods holy law and misorders against his manifest word and truth And in a vvord to raign in Christ by Christ and vvith Christ against the sinne that drawes him to the contrarie Is it not the weale and honour of his Maj. to hold himselfe in the favour of God that reverent loue good estimation of all that feares God unfeignedly loues the Lord Iesus Christ by holding fast that profession of the sincerity of the Gospell in doctrine discipline wherof his H. Kingdome in this Iland namely hath found comfort and profit that all the godly this day triumphes in all the vvicked envie Europe is astonished with admiration at that union of these Kingdomes under one God and Christ one King one Faith one Law and under his Majestie advanced and highly lifted up throne far aboue all Kings Throns in Christendom in this respect for this cause namely that his Highnes was borne entred to reign at the light and sinceritie of the Gospel hath reigned so long so happily so peaceable with the same and he and his posterity in hope and good appearance holding fast the same to reigne most blessedly even to that appearance of Christ the King of Kings from the heavens Is it not his Majesties weale and honour to stand fast to that confession of faith sworne and subscrived by his Highnesse for good example to his houshold estates and all his subjects extant in all languages affixed as it were on the most high pillar in the great Theater of Europe testifying and proclaiming to all his Majesties pietie sinceritie and zeale to the Gospell of Christ and his Kingdome against all corruption and thraldome of the Antichrist of Rome And against his weale and honour that leades him to the contrarie Is it not the weale and honour of his Royall Majestie to haue all the hearts of the most sincere Protestants and professors of the holy Evangell not onely throughout great Brittaine but also France Germanie Switzerland and Sweden to be as it were the heart of one man to ware all their bloud for his Majesties safetie in person encrease in honour and stabilitie in estate by holding fast unaltered or mixed the sincere simplicitie of the Gospell and doctrine sacraments and discipline which they haue so long professed with his Majestie and against the which what cursed force or businesse was ever able to prevaile unto this houre And finally is it not his Majesties weale and honour to be safe and free from the falshood flatterie and crueltie of ambitious avarice which hath brought so many notable Emperours Kings and Princes to tragicall ends corrupted sincere Kirkes and overthrowne flourishing Common-wealthes And verily this venome and poyson of humane Bishops degenerating into Satanicall hath filled the Ecclesiastical
their good service in Parliament to God the Kirk and Commonwealth in giving their votes and suffrages to seventeen erections of the Prelacies and livings of the Kirk in temporall Lordships to attaine thirteen rounged and dilapidate Bishoprickes as was reported and complained upon to the Kings Majestie and his Councell at Hampton Court 1606. CHAP. XI That Bishoprie is against the constitution and setled estate of the Kirk and Kingdom and so most dangerous ITt is an Axiom approved in Experience and Policie Quod omnis mutatio Reipub. est periculosa etiamsi in melius how much more in deterius The reason then holdeth thus All dangerous things for the estate and common-wealth are to bee eschewed But change is dangerous namely from such an estate which is conforme to the word of God good Lawes and Constitutions the judgement of the holiest and best learned ancient and moderne the best estate of the Primitiue Kirk and best reformed Kirkes from corruption of Papistrie to an estate plaine contrarie and so most perverse and pernicious For let Lawyers and Politiques reason and judge the civill part for the estate of the Kingdome we dare boldly conclude as we haue evidently proved that it is pernicious for the Kirk of Iesus Christ And that which is pernicious thereto can never stand with the good estate of a Christian Kingdome and godly Common-wealth It is so cleare in the Histories and miserable experience of these last Ages of the would that it needs no probation being acknowledged and affirmed by all Protestants that the Popish Hierarchie and usurpation of both the swords hath brought the Romane Empire and all Kingdomes and Commonwealths in Europe that haue not resisted the same to abominable and most filthie servitude and slaverie in their goods bodies soules And those who haue cast off the yoke of that bondage and resisted thereunto haue been involved in bloudie battels and had great fear adoe to keep them safe from the most craftie and cruel practises of that pestilent throne of kirk ambition avarice And shal the drâ—gs or rather sprowtings therof be brought in again into Scotland Shall these siâ—lings sprowrings be taken up and set with guiding again in the Lords vineyard to grovv up to seed to shake and overgrovv the same Or shall these dregges be cast in a Limbique and such Aquavitie to be dravvn thereof as vvill make the braines of all giddie that tasts thereof Shall these Coâ—katrice egges be hatched in our Kingdome of nevv vvhereof all Kings Kingdomes and Estates that hâ—ue â—aâ—en therof 〈◊〉 dead in sin and spirituall and temporall slaveâ—â—â— And such 〈…〉 marked therevvith doe cry as if they vvere stung vviâ—h 〈◊〉 The Lord safe our kirk kingdom and Kâ—â—◠〈…〉 kâ—s W◠〈…〉 â—fore thâ— Lavves of our Kingdome the constitutions of our Kirk the doctrine and confession thereof vvhereunto all thâ— members both of Kirk and Commonvvealâ— Kingdome haue solemnly svvorn and subsâ—rived and vvhich hath bâ—en professed established and stood in our Kirk and Kingdom almost novv an vvhole Iubile of yeares To all the vvhich this Bishoprie this usurpation of both Offices Civill Ecclesiasticall the temporall Lordship the earthly dominion the worldly vain pomp and the most dangerous invasion of governing both court kirk is most repugnant And yet notwithstanding the walles of our Trâ—â— which were builded by the finger of our God must be demolished we with our own hands hail in that devilish Grecian horse within the Lords Citie to set it all on fire O mad folly ô terrible Judgement for the contempt of the Gospell and fruitlesse abuse of the freedome thereof so long so liberally and so gloriously bestowed on Scotland CHAP. XII This Bishoprie is against the honour and weale of the Noble Estates of Parliament THe honour and weale of the Noble Estates of Parliament namely since the light of the Gospell shined in our dark nation vvas to haue the Kirk of God and libertie of this most ancient Kingdome in speciall are fall regard to make good lawes in favour of the same aâ—â— to sâ—e them haue life and vigor by due execution Anâ— for that stâ—â—ct to haue a solemne and free advice and you wâ—thout â—â—e vvhâ—â—h 〈◊〉 thing should passe and be effectuall by any oâ—â—oy plâ—t or practâ—se whatsoever But set â—nce up these B shops once called lâ—â—g since the Princes Ledhoâ—â—e thing â—f thâ—y were never so unlawful unjust ungodly and pernitious to Kirk and Realme If they shall be borne forth by the countenance authoritie care and endevour of the King supposing such a one a God forbiâ— come in the roome of our most renoumed Soveragine for as to the best hath oftentimes succeeded the worst they shall be caried through by his Bishops set up and entertained by him for that effect and the rest of the estates not onely be indeed as cyphers but also beare the blame thereof to their great evill and dishonour And if one will aske how shall these Bishops be more subiect to be carried after the appetite of an evill prince then the rest of the estates The answer and reason is because they haue their Lordship and living their honour estimation profit and commoditie of the King by others The King may set them vp and cast them downe give them and take from them put them in and out at his pleasure And therefore they must bee at his direction to doe what liketh him and in a word he may doe with them by law because they are set vp against law but with other estates hee cannot doe so they having either heritable standing in their roomes by the fundamentall lawes or then but a commission from the estate that send them as from the Burgesses or Barones Againe if one would say Howbeit the Bishops and all the spiritualll estate vvere corrupted yet there is two or three estates beside Wee answer first there is a great number of the other estates whereof it is easie to make choyce of some that for certaine commoditie and advancement of their state and matters may be easily corrupted Next deprave me once the Ecclesiasticall estate which hath the gift of knowledge learning by others and are supposed because they should bee of best conscience that so they are the rest will easily bee miscarried And that so much the more that the officiaâ—s of estate Lords of Session Iudges Lawyers that haue their offices of the King are commonly framed after the courts affâ—ction Yea let Chancellor Secretarie Thesaurer President Controller and others that now are take heed that thâ—se new Prelats of the Kirk as convetous and ambitious as ever they were of old insinuating themselues by flatterie and obsequence in the Princes favour attaine to the bearing of all these offices of estate and crowne and to the exercising thereof as craftily avaritiously proudly and cruelly as ever the Papisticall Prelates did For as the holiâ—st bâ—st and wisest Angels of light being depraved became most wiâ—ked
acts of Parliament paâ—t in favors of the same with sorrow and sore against our harts we will be constrained to use the remedy of Protestation Like as aâ—hering to the protestations made to the Parliament holden at Pâ—rth in the yeare of God 1606 and to the Protestation used in the last Parliament holden at Edinburgh and to all other Protestationâ— whatsoever made in favour of this Kirk and against all hurts and injuries intended against the same By these presents we solemnly protest all and whatsoever Articles â—â—ctes and others whatsoever shall be propoued concluded and publâ—shed in or from this present Parliament in prejudice of the iurâ—sdiction and libertie of the Kirk Assemblies therof order stâ—â—â—â—shed or any part therof or in favours of usurped governement and damned Hierarchie of Ceremonies and alterations whatsoever concerning the ministration of the Sacraments or any other point or practise of discipline received in this Kingdome And for due execution hereof wills and request our welbeloved Brother _____ to subscribe and to present the same as offâ—cers in open face of Parliament to the Lords of Articles being conveened and if need bee to affixe the same upon the Parliament house dore or Market crosse of Edinburgh To the effect that our reasonable dissâ—ssent from all and whatsoever may in any sort preâ—udge the forme of Religion established in this Kingdome may be not oâ—ly knowen At Edinburgh the 25 day of Iuly 1621. Archip. Ye haue shewed me evident testimonies of their fidelitie vvhich maugre oblivion and malice vvill bide after them vvhen they are gone out of â—his vvorld as they lâ—ft â—hem behind vvhen they vvere put out of that Towne I would now know vvhat vvas the successe Epaph. The former reasons and admonitions took impression in many hearts few vvere in any doubt vvhat to doe if they had been left to their own libertie for there was not one vvhâ— either respected these fiue Articles for their own good qualitie or for the Kirks authoritie neithâ—r ever to this day were they honoured with the name of an Act of the generall Assembly but beare the note of basenesse in the title of Articles All the perplexity was vvhat to doe in so great extremitie and urging importunitie for the Masters of vvork both for compassing the purpose and keeping themselues from censure set their wits by all meanes to vvorke so many as they might to be of their mind And for this effect there vvas no small businesse in the beginning to single out and set inclinable Lords and Noblemen and so to make way for their Election who vvere to sit upon the Articles that therby might be gained in hope of further victorie thirty and two Votes at least in their judgement vvho had made prosperous tryall of such cunning first at Perth and now knowing vvith vvhom they dealt had no lesse hope of successe here Archipp That would seeme to be like the policie of our late Ecclesiasticall Assemblies in chosing of the privie conference But after so full preparation vvhether vvas the day appointed for holding the Parliament now at last observed vvith the vvonted solemnitie Epaph. It vvas Riding of the Parliâ—ment for upon Wednesday the 25 of Iuly 1621 at the Palace of Halvroode-house there is first a Majesticall appearance of high honour and splendor glancing from that glorious convention prepared for the sacred and high Court of Parliament the most excellent person of the mightie King and Head of this Monarchie being resembled by the potent and noble Lord Iames Marquesse of Hammilton his Highnesse Commissioner and the Estates of Parliament ranked according to the worth of their persons and the deserved and unspotted dignitie of their places And then they marched in state from the said palace with honourâ— borne according to thâ— custome of this ancient Kingdome the Crown by the Earle of Angusâ— the Scepter by thâ— Earle of Marâ— the Sword by the Earle of Rothesse to the Parliament house where they entred and set themselues in their honourable places neither Papists nor any other sort of persons desirous to heare and see being excluded Archipp Why passe yee the Prelacie vvho of dutie ought to haue beene first remembred in this their owne Ceremoniall Parliament Epaph. Neither ye not I can remember them vvith such acclamation of joy as a Papist did who before many Gentlemen cryed aloud in the street vvith lifted up hand directing his speech to the Bi hop of Santandroes God blesse you my Lord with all your Brethren and favourers of your course for you and they are furthering the way to content his Majestie and us all that are Catholickes which God prosper and none resists except a number of evill disposed Ministers But the clamour of the multitude and the accustomed noise at suâ—h times suppressed the bablings of the seditious Parasite and buried them in their eares vvho vvere neerest unto himselfe Archipp Seeing Papists tooke the boldnesse both to speak upon the street and to be present in the house modest Ministers would haue been overseen notwithstanding of the straitnesse of the Proclamation against them Epaph. Yet there vvas speciall care recommended to the double guard vvithout and vvithin and as great attendance given that no Mâ—nister vvanting the Bishops licence should be suffered to enter And after that the members of the Parliament vvere placed a second search made for Ministers that if any had been permitted to enter they might be removed Archip. How can yee be able to lead me through to the end seeing ye were neither an actor nor permitted to be witnesse of the remanent proceeding Epaph. The Lyâ—ian ring is worne away long since Any of the beholders could relate all that vvas done openly every one of the members of the Court could not see vvhat vvas done secretly Lookers on many times see more then gamesters and in the valâ— the hill is best seen Archip. If ye take upon you to tell me the truth I will cease to be curious about the mean of your information vvhat was done in that first meeting Epaph. First the B. of Santandroes after a verie short prayer read a part of Scripture Speeches in â—â—e house of Parliament Rom. 13.7 and delivered a discourse chiefly intending to perswade the taxation After him my Lord Commissioner had a speech declaring to the Estates his Maj. great and extraordinary troubles and continuall debursements in supporting the King of Boheme his Queen their mother and in continual sending of Embassadors to France Germany and Spaine to travel for peace among the Christian Princes besides the extraordinary aids given to the Germane Princes to retain them vvithin the compasse of the band of friendship and alliance the charges of maintaining a sea Navie under the conduct of Sir Robert Mansfield adding also that his Maj. suslained and suffered more for the persecutions afflictions of the Protestants and for the defence of the Reformed Kirk then all the Princes in the world besides with divers
Tâ—â— Course of Conformitie As it 〈◊〉 proceeded Is concluded Should be refused PSALM 94.20 Shall the throne of iniquitie haue fellowship with me which frameth mischiefe by a law Printed in the yeare 1622. THE PREFACE TO THE READER IN the restlesse revolution of this troublesome 〈◊〉 driving everie person and purpose to their app◠〈…〉 all being under vanitie one generation passe◠〈…〉 other succeedeth with as many grievous novelti◠〈◊〉 â—ge alterations Mutation the inseparable companion of â—â—â—â—on like a Princesse presuming upon the kingdome kirks and families of the earth But by the soveraigne providence of that unchangeable God who directeth the steps of man and â—â—th put in his own power the time to plant and the time to pluck up that which is planted is so oversweyed in the most variable and different humors of men so limited that some as the scoffers of the last dayes laughing at mutation say Where is the promise of his comming Others to wit the wicked man in his prosperitie persecuteth the poore saying he shall never be moved A third sort viz. the slavish time-server like soft waxe flexible to every nâ—w forme boweth to mutation making her variant colours his crowne and contentment And the best sort the wise Christian hating change and loving constancie striveth to walk circumspectly redeeming the time from the dangerous currant All these and others whatsoever whether by sinne irregular or by grace sincere and straight by supreme wisedome are so disposed that they must needs serve the holy proiects of Iustice and Mercie for the honour of God and salvation of his chosen In this continuall course Mutation so prevaileth upon succeeding generations that as they are distant from the first times they decline from primitiue innocencie and as they approach to the later dayes they participate of their evils Yea so forcible is Defection the daughter of this Mutation in the congregations of the faithfull that the vacant places of the righteous departed are seldome or never filled againe their labours followeth them and they are forgotten If the kirk bee in Aegypt Ioseph dieth and there ariseth a new king there who knew not Ioseph When the people enters into the land Iosua and that generation is gathered to their fathers and another generation ariseth up after them which neither knoweth the Lord nor the works which he had done for Israel by Moses and Iosua in Aegypt at the red sea in the wildernesse and at the entrance into the promised land And in the land it selfe after Athaliahs troubles Ioash whose life was saved by Iehoiada and in whose dayes he did that which was righteous in the sight of the Lord after his death hâ—arkneth to the Princes who make obeysance to the King and leaving the house of the Lord God of their fathers serve idols but Ioash remembreth not the kindnesse done by Iehoiada but slayeth his sonne As by these strange alterations fearfull eclipses were brought upon the face of common honesty likely to banish religion out of the earth so under the ends of the world surpassing the preceeding generations in loue decayed and iniquitie multitiplied if it were not the rich mercy and undeserved loue of the Lord not to suffer the rod of the wicked to rest upoÌ„ the lot of the righteous but now and then in the middest of confusions brought on by Mutation to refresh them under the sweet shadowes of peace and prosperitie the very elect could hardly escape If adversitie beare the sway the people of God are in hazard to put out their hands to evill and if prosperitie prevaile then the kingdome of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field but while men slept his enemie came and sowed tares among the wheat which may not be gathered up till the harvest lest the wheat also be rooted up with them When the Lord his field shall be once infected with such venemous mixture of false teachers their foolish disciples renouncing their own libertie slavishly submitting themselues without triall to follow their seducers in lasciviousnes and avarice for atchieving their own vitious hopes if Israel were not poured from vessel to vessel they should freeze upon their dreggs like Moab so loose not only their comely countenance but the health and life of their substantiall estate the deceitful colours of these supervenient weeds so dazling the eyes of the common sort for the most part more naturall then spirituall and either vailed with black ignorance or blind hypocrisie that religioÌ„ in her natiue simplicitie purity seemeth to them an handmaid rather then a mistres if she bee not busked with some new guise of one alteration or other In this change if a Priest or a Levit or any of the ancient shall happen to weep for the first Temple by the meanes of mutation thus dâ—faced or enquire for the old way by ignorance in the reasonlesse multitude by pride in high places and perversitie of reputed learning he maketh himselfe a prey a troubler of Israel and not meet to liue There ariseth no small stirre about that way whole cities are filled with confusion and the cry goeth up for the Diana of the time If Paul himselfe were gotten he would not passe with pestilent fellow but stone him to the death before he be heard yea when the furie of Mutation inflameth the minds of Barbarians if they see a viper of adversity on a mans hand they say surely he is a murtherer and if no inconvenience follow he is a God So madly are the hearts of men set in them privily to blind themselues with the beams of their own particulars and the world with open shew of seeming zeale for justice and religion The toyles tossings of these Circaean changes are ever so unsavourie to a man of a quiet spirit that if the wronged innocencie of a just cause shamelesse violence done to the rights priviledges of religion and the intolerable pride practised against famous kirks vnheard could be closed up in any tolerable silence honest men knowing very well that the railings of reprochers never woundeth a good conscience could rather choose to sustaine a legion of bitter aspersions for peace to preach the Gospell then either to interrupt their owne tranquilitie or giue the least cause of suspition to any that they were brought from the sweet course of their pure peaceable and simple wisedome to contend for their impured fame and reputation and so to hinder the preaching of Christ For what matter is it though men be despised disgraced and scorned so long as the Lord may bee honoured thereby But when the night of securitie shall bee so dark and shamelesse pride ascend to such a height that not onely the lower sort but men of great spirits and places can with a deafe eare passe by the wrongs done to sincere professours faithfull ministers and martyrs of good memorie but by a sort of brutish patience suffer a substantiall truth to be borne down
and civill iurisdictions and callings in the person of one Ergo. Numb 18. vers 4.5 Yee shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation for all the service of the tabernacle and no stranger shall come neere unto you the stranger that comes neere shall bee slaine The ministers then of Gods service and the civill rulers are strangers one to another and should not bee confounded under paine of death 2. Chron. 19.11 Behold Amarith the Priest shall be chiefe over you in all the matters of the Lord and Zebadiah the son of Ismael a ruler of the house of Judah shall be for all the Kings affaires Deut. 22.9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers sorts of seeds least thou defile the increase of thy seed which thou hast sowen and the fruit of thy vineyard Thou shalt not plow with an Oxe and an Asse together thou shalt not weare a garment of divers sorts as of woollen and linnen together Doth God play the Gardiner Ploughman or Webster here or is not this a ceremoniall command to eschew all mixture and confusion in the Lords vineyard field and shop which is his Kirk and people This also the Apostle 1. Corinth chap. 9. teacheth us citing that Ceremoniall command Thou shalt not mussell the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne for the provision of the Ministers of the kirk with things temporall And finally our master in the Gospell distinguisheth expresly Betwixt the things pertaining to God and to Caesar saying Give vnto Caesar that which is Caesars and to God that which is Gods Argum. V. That the Officers of Christs Kingdome should meddle with things not pertaining to the kingdom of Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bee busie bodies in matters impertinent to them against the Scripture But civill and worldly offices and matters pertain not to the kingdome of Christ and yet are medled with by these Bishops therefore against the Scripture Iohn 6.18 Jesus then knoing that they were come to take him and make him their king bee withdrew himselfe into the mountaine alone Ioh. 18.36 Iesus answered and sayd unto Pilat My kingdome is not of this world Remembring the vvhich confessions that Christ was a king but his kingdome vvas not of this vvorld the Apostle Paul gives a charge unto Timothie I charge thee sayth he in the sight of God who quickens all things and before Iesus Christ who under Pontius Pilat witnessed a good confession that thou keep this commandement meaning anent the whole discipline and ruling of the whole kingdome of Iesus Christ that is not of this vvorld set down by the Apostle in that Epistle 1. Tim. 6.13 Ioh. 8.11 Iesus sayd to the adultresse neither doe I iudge thee goe and sin no more Luk. 12.13.14 And one of the multitude sayd vnto him Master speak to my brother that he may divide the heritage with me be sayd unto him O man who made me a judge over you The civill and worldly offices then haue nothing to doe with the kingdome of Christ in their persons and are such as neither Christ nor his Apostles ever took on or vvould take upon them Argum. VI. That Christs ministers should beare worldly preheminence bruâ—k ambitious stiles and be called gracious Lords is against the word of God and speciall scripture vnderwritten But the office of Bishoprick brings in all these wherin they pride themselues against the scriptures Mat. 23.6 The Scribes and Pharisees love the first rooms at feasts and the chiefest rooms in the Synagogues and salutations in the Markets and be called Rabbi But be ye not called Rabbi for yee haue one master and ye are all brethren Let him that is great among you be a servant for whosoever will lift himselfe up shall be câ—ften downe and be that will humble himselfe shall be exalted Luk. 22.15 There entred a contention among them who should be greatest But he sayd vnto them The Kings of the Nations beare rule over them and are called gracious Lords but ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the least and he that is the guide as the servant And in very deed experience proves that these ambitious stiles vvherewith they are honoured by Heraulds flattered by a great number and scorned by farr moe makes them as the Apostle speakes of vvidowes to grow vvanton against Christ miskenning him them selues and their calling to despise their equals and to presume over their superiours Argum. VII That the Souldier of Christ should be involved in the affaires of this life and one bound to serve two maisters is flat repugnant to the word of God But this office of Bishoprick involveth them c. Ergo. Numb 4.3 From thirtie yeare old and aboue all that are meet to take on this warfare to doe the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 2. Tim. 2.3.4 Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good souldier of Iesus Christ No man that warreth entangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier It is evident by all these Scriptures and a number moe which may be brought forth that the office of these Bishops is repugnant and direct against the word of God As for Episcopall corruptions in vsurping authoritie aboue the Pastors of the Kirk arrogating to them the governmeÌ„t of the kirk which appertains to the common care and counsell of the Elders in Assemblies and Presbyteries by the vvord of God because they dare not defend I insist not to lay it out plainly but think it enough for the present to quot these places of Scripture and Fathers following till we heare it brought in question 1. Tim. 4.1 Tim. 3.1 Tit. 1. Act. 20. 1 Cor. 12. 1. Tim. 5. Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 5. 1. Thess 5. Heb. 13. Math. 5. 18. Act. 15. 21. Math. 16. Ephes 4. 1. Pet. 5. Math. 23. Luk. 22. Phil. 1. Ioh. 20. Act. 14.23 Tertul. Apologet 39. Hieron l. 2. c. 3. Origenes Hom. 7. in Iosuam Irenaeus ad Victor Cypr. lib. 2. Epist lib. 6. Epist 9. Ambros serm 11. Epiphanius contra haereses heres 75. August de cor gratia c. 5. Euseb de vita Constantin l. 3. Prosper de vitand corrup l. 10. cap. Chrysost de sacerdotio c. CHAP. II. That such a Bishoprie is against the ancient Canons of Kirk and Councels THAT the Pastors and Bishops of the Kirk should set themselves to politicke administration and court affairs and bee occupied in secular and worldly matters leaving their flocks and follow the puffed vp pomp and glory of the world is against the ancient Canons of the Kirk namely these following which as epitomes of many other to the like effect we are content with for the present Amongst these most ancient Canons called the Apost the 80 Canon 1â— Dicimus quod non oportet Episcopum aut Presbyterum politicis se administrationibus immiscere sed
civill histories full of such effects the smallest haire of root and pickle of seed is therefore to be fanned away and plucked out of all Kirkes Kingdomes and Common-wealthes This the godly wisedome quicknesse of wit prudence and sagacitie of the King who is as an Angell of God can well marke and take up a farre both to beware of it where he hath found it and can not well amend it and not to permit to creep into the field so carefully and cleane purged therefrom Thus passing over the impairing of the Kings patrimonie and many moe things against his Highnesse weale and honour for brevities sake I end this point not doubting but his Majestie is alwaies mindfull of that declaration so clearely godly and eloquently penned subscribed by his Highnesse own hands at his Majesties Parliament holden at Linlithgow in December 1585. The conclusion whereof is most worthie of remembrance at this time for that by forgetting that these who seek Episcopall dignitie seekes the hurt and dishonour of his most renowmed Majestie Then shortly to end this my declaration I mind not to cut away any liâ—ertâ— granted by God to hiâ— Kirk I acâ—lame not my selfe to be judge of doctrinâ— in Religion sâ—â—â—tion heresies or true interpretation of Scripture c. And in end My intention is not to 〈◊〉 with excommunication neithâ—â—â—â—â—â—me to my selfe or my 〈◊〉 power in anâ—â—â—ng that 〈◊〉 weer Ecclesiasticall neither to meddle in any that God wâ—â—â—â— thâ— wâ—y dâ—vâ—lvâ— in thâ—â—â—nds of the Kirk â—nd to conclude I confâ—sse and â—â—k◠〈◊〉 â—ge Christ Iesus to 〈◊〉 Heâ—d and Law-giver to the same And whâ—tâ—â—â—vâ—r persons 〈…〉 themselves as heâ—d of the Kirk and not 〈…〉 thing that the word of God 〈…〉 miâ—â—â—â— to his Kirk that mâ—â— I fâ—â—â—â—mmiâ—ts manifest 〈…〉 against the 〈…〉 the words of his Son against 〈◊〉 Sâ—nâ—â— not â—â—y gâ—â—iâ— and in tâ—king his place against th◠〈◊〉 Châ—â—â—t the 〈◊〉 how Spirit â—hing contrâ—â—y 〈◊〉 to his consâ—iâ—nâ—e Certainly thus hâ—â—â—ouriâ—g Gâ—d and Iesus Christ his Highnes shall be wâ—ll and honourable according to that promise I will know him that honours me CHAP. X. That this Bishoprie is against the honour and weale of the Realme WHâ—rein hath stood thy honor and weale ô Scotland these 〈◊〉 yâ—ares and aboue Was it not in the â—â—gement of all thâ—â—◠〈…〉 â—â—ghtly â—â—th sincerity of the Gospel freedom of Iesus Christs â—â—â—â—â—om estâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—o notably within thee vvith so 〈…〉 that Gospel of peace came vvithin th◠〈…〉 forraine wâ—â— and all commâ—tions vvithin thy 〈…〉 beene easily setled God bâ—â—ng in the mâ—â—st of thâ—◠〈◊〉 bringing 〈◊〉 judgement upon all thâ—t 〈◊〉 their hea◠〈◊〉 their 〈…〉 against his Kirk And 〈…〉 so â—o â—â—â—h and bevvitched is not 〈◊〉 hold fast that vvâ—â—y having hâ—d Christ so clâ—â—rly â—â—â—â—ted forth before thy eyes as if â—hâ—m with the same had seene hiâ— crucified Shalt thou vviâ—h those foolish Gâ—lâ—tians begin in the spirit end in the flâ—sh Wâ—â— thâ—â—â— follovv thâ—m of vvhom the Apostle vveeping 〈◊〉 vvrite that thâ—y are enemies to the crosse whose end iâ— destruction or damnation who God iâ— their â—â—lly whose glorie iâ— shame earthly minded men vvho seekes not the glory of Christ not safety of the soules of thy people but to be thy guiders and misguiâ— thee to be thy conductâ—r seduâ—â— thee to make thee to sinne against God after the manner of the golden Calues at Dan and Bethel that so the Lord may be inâ—enâ—â—d and cast thee avvay from his face They seeke glâ—rie amongst men and one of another so neither can beleeue and trust in Christ themselues not make thee doe it and be safe Surely for wealth and honour worldly thou was never comparable to other nations but the Evangell so planted in thee was that crown of thy glorie that decored thy head and set it up aboue all Realmes and Kingdomes upon the face of the earth Hearken dear mother what the Lord said unto his people Israel of old take it now to be spoken unto thee Deut. 4. Aske from the times of old that haue been before thee even from that day that God created man upon the earth fâ—â—th one end of the heaven unto the other if there was done such a thing as this is or if there hath been heard he like of it If any God hath essayed to come take unto him a nation out of the midst of another nation with proofes and signes and wonders with war strong hand stretched out arme finally with most great terrours according to all that Iehovâ—h hath done for you even your God to bring you out of the land of Egypt 2 Sam. 7.23.24 What nation is like thy people Israel in all the earth which for to be a people went to redeem and hath gone to get himselfe a name and to worke these great things and mightie reverently to be admired expelling from the face of thy people whom thou redeemed to thee out of Egypt the Nations and their Gods for thou hast established thy people Israel that it may be a people unto thee for ever and thou Iehovah their God Psal 147. Who telleth his word to Iacob his Statutes and Lawes to Israel he hath not done so to my nation therefore they know not these Lawes Praise yee the Lord. Was not Papistrie thy Egypt ô Scotland and did not the Lord deliver thee out of it and safeing thee from that tyrannie and thraldome brought thee unto a pleasant Canaan of his Gospell to serue him in spirit and truth and that in such a manner and forme as the like was never heard nor seene And no lesse miraculously hath he made thee to dwel therin so long so safely so freely and shalt thou then goe and make to thee other Captaines by Moses and Aaron yea contemning them thy lawfull Priests Levites to lead thee back again into Egypt God forbid But so it is deere natiue country your Seers see and your Watchmen giues you a faithfull warning crying to you that the Episcopall Hierarchie is verie Papistrie and spirituall Egypt Howbeit by the pollicie of men otherwaies buskit attired and dressed to take the foolish and simple withall It is no other thing in the substance thereof taken from the last and grossest dung of Antichrist making the Kingdome of Christ to be of this world turning the spirituall worshipping of God in outward toyes and ceremonies bringing the pompe of the world into the simple and humble Kirk yea corrupting the fountaines of the waters of life and empoysoning the food of the soules to work dangerous sicknesses and deadly diseases amongst thy sonnes and daughters The whole Pulpits hath sounded unto you so many years and yet continues to sound where they are not emptied or terrified by their tyrannie Admitting that Bishoprie againe lost is your honour wracked is your welfare and gone is your grace and garland of heavenly and spirituall glorie for ever Forget not the first essay of
as best expressing the causes of that honorable meeting Epaph. Left you or I either should be mistaken behold the true copie thereof Proclamation of the Parliament IAMES by the grace of God King of great Britaine France and Ireland defender of the faith Forasmuch as we know â—â—â—ll that the happinesse strength and glory of a Monarchy free from tyranny and confusion is builded upon the mutuall loue betwixt the king and his subiects expressed by the one in a fatherly care to maintaine his countries in a secure peace flourishing with religion and iustice and by the others in a loyall and submissâ—e obedience to their Princes will and commandement accompanied with a heartie and affectioned offering of all supply and ayd to the vpholding and increase of his estate and honour with their goods and bodies Which reciprocall bonds as layd in by nature and birth upon king and people albeit no new contract can tie or shike off yet are they with solemnitie in a sort renewed at the Assemblies of Parliaments wherein the subiects according to the occurrent necessities of the Princes affaires offer to him their best supply and helpe and hee returneth to them satisfaction and ease of their just grievances pardons for transgression of the lawes ratifications and acts in favours of particular persons estates and corporations with the establishment of such new lawes as the time doth require And wee having now appointed a Parliament in our kingdome of Scotland to be holden and begin vpon the first day of Iune next wherein as the importance and necessitie of our adoâ—s givâ—th â—s just hope for to looke for a supply to bee granted to us by our suâ—jects in our sayd kingdome in a greater measure then hath been at any time heretofore So are we most willing that they should haue all contentment in having either generall lawes or particular acts authorized by our royall consent which being ripely advised shall bee found expedient to passe But because our long experience hath taught us how that divers persons partly by ignorance and partly by fraud are accustomed presuming upon the short time of the sitting of our Parliament to giue in many â—illes and articles to those who are appointed to sit upon the same conteining matter preiudiciall to our crowne or other our good subiects which shortnes of time and multitude of businesse permitteth not to be so narrowly examined as need were And for this cause we haue appointed a certaine number of our counsell to meet some dayes before the sayd parliament and to consider of all billes petitions and articles which shall be exhibit to them by our Clerk of Register Therefore our will and pleasure is that all such at intend to giue in any articles to be past in this approching Parliament deliver the same to our Clerk of Register before the twentie day of May next Otherwise the same shall not bee receiued read nor voted in our sayd parliament except the same be past under our own hand And that yee make publication hereof at the market crosse of our Burgh of Edinburgh to the end that none of our subiects pretend ignorance Given at our palace at Westminster the 21 of Aprill 1621. Archip Was there no further done for convocation Epaph. Missiue letters and precepts were directed according to the ordinary custome from his Maiesties Counsell to all Noblemen of the land Marquises Earles Vicounts Lords Barons Commissioners of Shires Bishops and Burrowes Archip. I see not a word in the proclamation of the fiue Articles and I see a faâ—re occasion offered to the kirk or any of her members to give in their petitions according to their feares or desires Epaph. The cover of the subsidie will not let you see them grope rather Videndi ficultas omnes attingit attrectandi vero pâ—â—â—â—s duntaxat Machiavel What was done in the petition yee shall see The corporations of the kingdome in privat persons as they had their publick or privat affaires to be done in Parliament as they were wakened and warned by this occasion according to their customable priviledges appointed and kept their ordinary meetings for preparing their petitions and articles to be timously presented according to the wil of the proclamation But a necessarie corporation divers ministers and members thereof under great necessities and need of support from the compassion at hands of that high and honourable meeting being deprived not onely of the ancient vigorous generall assembly but of the weak image thereof and in that respect of wonted order and Councell for preparing their desires and authorizing commissioners to present the same vvas left unrespected and desolate Archip. Yet his Maiesties proclamation not onely permitting but inviting and the concurrence of so many weightie causes inforcing as the great growth of corruptions boldnesse of Papists and increase of Paâ—â—stry rather plaistered then punished and the distractions of the Kirke now turned into persecution of the Ministers and grievous offenâ—e of the faithfull professors like a fire devouring and wasting all vnitie order and brotherly kindnesse with no small danger to the state of religion the ministers of dutie ought and without wrong or offence to any might haue presented their humble â—etion Epaph. Chien oâ— chaudè â—aâ—t lâ— causroide Ye may guesse at the difficultie of that dutie by your owne disposition and retirednes at that time yet it pleased the Lord to move the ministers in most quiet and peaceable maner to joyne their hearts and hands in this forme of supplication Supplication presented to the Parliament in name of the Kirk May it please your Honours in this present Parliament assembled under the high and excellent Maiestie of our deare and dread Soveraigne to accept and consider the humble petition of your wearied and broken hearted Brethren Ministers and people obsieged under higher paines then â—â—sse of life libertie goods and fame for Sions sake not to hold their tongue but to call and cry to the God of Heaven and the gods of the earth that peace may be within her walles and prosperitie within her palaces ALthough it were more expedient to weepe then to say ought when we see the Lords armie disordered his companie broken and in the chock betwixt Christian and Turke Protestant and Papist some of his worthies put from their places and others turned if not to the enemies campe yet labouring for his cause Neverthelesse having this happy occasion of his Highnesse fatherly care providence and inclination to distribute iustice and mercie among his Maiesties people to whom by right pertâ—ines the worthy comforts and advantages which the King of Kings hath inclosed in hiâ— Royall scepter to bee delivered forth and disposed according to the occasions presented and the reciprocall consideration in his Highnesse lâ—t proclamation expressed as also of this high Court and of your Honours compassionate intercession for our quietnesse and deliverance from injuries alreadie felt and further feared wee are even forced to speake though not
preparatiue in the hearts of the commonlie who mâ—â—sâ—â—e religion more by the externall maske of ceremonies then by substanâ—iall poynts of doctrine to the receiving againe of whole Poperie a terrible renting of this kirke inducing Atheisme in place of Religion the people noâ— knowing what to beleeue and seeing the observation of Yuile obtained which before discharged by Act of Parliament in all pulpits of Scotland was sufficiently declared to bee the invention and tradition of man to bee will worship superstition entertaining the people in an errour anent the the birth of Christ leading them to all sort of excesse and profanation and Geniâ—ulation the first of the 15 ceremonies of the Masse teste Bâ—llarmino a gesture invented and ordained onely by Antichrist more than 1300 yeares after Christ aâ— the principall externall worship of their â—â—â—den god now inforced in the 〈◊〉 of the Lords supper under pretence of indifferencie more reverence and humilitie As though we were not forbidden praecepto negativo to presume to giue or receiâ—e the communion more reverently then Christ and his Disciples did or that we were not commanded praecepto affirmativo to imitate Christ in all his religious actions neither miraculous nor admirable nor having a particular reason restricting them to that time 〈◊〉 though we were not warranted praecepto comparativo rather to imitate Christ with a table gesture in that holy banquet then Antichrist with a gesture of adoration inductiue to Idolatry or as though a man were able to give a reason why the surplice the crosse and the elevation of the bread may not as well be received being of more antiquitâ—â— and if the Minister having a surplice with crossing elevat the â—read and the people how their knee what want we of a Masse Voâ— semelde erratum est in praeceps devenitur Fourthly because if the high commission bee imboldened by ratification of this Parliament to depriue Ministers that will stand out against these ceremonies being the greatest number of the best qualified most painfull and fruitfull of their calling within the land what a lamentable desolation shall it draw upon this Church what a wound shall it be to every godly heart to see their faithfull Pastors deprived warded and â—â—n sâ—â—â—l forgiving the communion as Christ gave it and refusing to giâ—â—â—â— fâ—â—r the forme of antichrist Is this a time to obtrude Antichâ—â—stiâ—â—â—â—remonies in the kirk when the blooâ—y sword of Antichrist is 〈◊〉 in the bloud of so many thousand protestants in France and Germanie Lastly 〈◊〉 it was never seen that this Parliament confirmed the acts of â—â—y assembly which they know was called in question not onely by a great number of the speciall of the ministerie but also by the greatest part of the most zealous profâ—â—â—â—our of the whole boâ—y of the kingdome as is mâ—nifâ—st by the practise of Edinburgh seeking the Lords supper in thousâ—â—â— without the citie An admonition to the well affected Nobilitie Barone and burgesses Commissioners in this present Parliament Admonitions to the same effect DOE not your Honours now at last perceiue how mightily the Mysterie of iniquitie the spirit of Antichrist the power of darknesse and delusion prevâ—iles amongst us in the judgement of God presuppose not in the intention of man which we presume not to search but leaue to the Lord the searcher of hearts If Papists goe free who used to be fined if professors be counted Puritanes and religion disgraced if patrons of Poperie be set at libertie and the faithfull committed if Seminarie Priests goe abroad and true Pastors be confined and imprisoned if sea ports be patent to forraine Papists and banished Ministers lye vnrecalled if sundry statesmen be small friends to true profession and not unfriends to Papistry if time servers and men pleasers usurpe commission for Christâ— kirk being her greatest enemies if Papists do incroach and professors grow â—old If it be discharged that search be made for mass-priests or that these foxes being discovered should be apprehended as your honours may try whose intelligence is better is not there the sound of the sound of the fâ—â—t of Popery at the doores whereunto the Lord hath long threatned to câ—â—t us The discipline of Christs kirk is already welneere destroyed and turned Antichristian by the usurpation and tyranny of our Prelats The worship of God is next and now among your hands which if ye suffer to be polluted by the Romish leaven of their unhallowed rites as sundry of the ministery unwisely haue done we may iustly feare the corruption of doctrine and so all is gone Consider then that the touchstone to try your loue to the truth is at this time the act concerning these cursed ceremonies counted indifferent by many but in effect pernicious the bringing back again wherof by the confession of all even of the vrgers is at least unnecessary and untimous and so in religion abhominable and impious But if we will say the truth it is 1. a returning with the dogg to the vomit 2. to Papists and professours scandalous 3. contrary to the word as is largely proven by sundry and so presumptuous 4. in regard of the present use whersoever they are received proving superstitious 5. by reason of the oath of God which hereby is despised blâ—sphemous 6. in regard of the consequences damnable and divelish and for the manner of their establishing by violence and craftines to all them who haue eyes odious Which as your honours in Gods mercie haue marked so haue you done well that being privily tried yee have not dissembled your dislike both of the cause and the croâ—ked convoy of it For well might ye know when supplicants were sent to prison and truth was misconstrued and counted treason when Ministers were discharged off the towâ—â— for feare of requesting your Honours to stand for the Lord little good was to be looked after so godlesse a beginning It rests now that ye be constant and setled in the loue of the truth By threatnings by allurements by hopes by feares touching your selues and your faithful pastors and other endlesse wayes of darknesse they studie to draw away and divert you either to make you vote against Christ or to be Newtrallâ— and Nonliquâ—ts or to slide away and denie your presence by one meanes or other to draw you under the curse of Meroz for not helping the Lord against the mightie But the busier they are the lesse freedome in this Parliament the lesse worth in their causes the greater is your triall who stand to give testimonie to Christ your faith the more pretious and your reward the more glorious For God hath sayd Hee that overcommeth shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my sonne Rev. 21.8 But the fearfull that is such who for feare of man dare not giue testimony to the truth of God and the unbeleeving c shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstome which is the second
in that day Epaph. The second vvay was as skilfull but not so successefull as the first Vpon some question of place betwixt two Lords of Parliament both lovers of Religion it was apprehended that they would rather loose their votes then perill their dignity And therefore strait commandement was given to Noble men to keep their own places But as that worthy Grecian with his fellow-ambassadour buried their private emulations till their return when the publicke affaires of the common-wealth were exped so they perceiving the snare packed up the controversie for that time and of their Christian discretion and generous affection preferring a substantiall duety to a circumstantial ceremony kept their liberty and so disappointed that policie And as the first policie of this sort perswaded some to leaue the Town so the second vvould haue moved others to leaue their riding But on the other side I vvill tell you by the way that their policie could not make all to be present of vvhose concurrence they assured themselues Divine providence in one example might haue been a sufficient instruction to let them see how easily his Majestie might haue turned all their purposes and counsels to folly if it had beene his pleasure for that which befell one might haue befallen the rest For one of the Commissioners vvhom they had to be a ringleader of the rest of the Commissioners of the Burgesses fell off his horse and gaue place to another And vvho vvas this but that Commissioner of the chiefe Burgh Edinburgh vvho fell that day in the street and was forced to giue place to a craftsman chosen in his roome to be peere to that first kneeling Provest of that Town which was once as another Ierusalem sâ—nding the puritie power and loue of the Gospell through all the corners of the kingdome but now albeit the power of grace remaine in the hearts of many hundreds is as vniversally scandalous through suddenly admitted novations by themselves and their pastors too penitent of their protestation practisers and preachers of contrary conformitie and paternes of change to the whole countrey The Lord give them hearts to remember from whence they are fallen that they may repent and doe their first workes Archip Who knoweth but they who haue done so many things well for their common estate common workes and priviledges of their towne may doe somewhat and the Lord blesse them with an open doore for the libertie and flourishing estate of their kirke to the wonted benefit of the whole realme But proceed in the rest of your policies Epaph. The next degree must be to keep them from voting who had ridden and now entred in the house of Parliament and this vvas also brought about by perswading some Noblemen inwardly warned to vote against the fiue articles but outwardly wrought upon to vote for them to make a mid course and to lurk in the inner house till the kirkes part was acted and Gods vvorship through her sides had received a deadly wound and then to come forth to the stage and in their owne places to play their parts in civill matters It is better to be altogether Christians with Paul then to be almost Christians with Agrippa or not all with Feâ—tus He that loveth father or mother far more he that loveth the woâ—â—â— more then me is not c. Archip. Yee remember Nicodemus and Ioseph of Arimathea But there had been no place left for that policie if the former order kept in the Articles when the kirk was postponed had been now observed in face of Parliament Epaph. To the end that this policie might haue place when it was now made manifest that other matters would not find great opposition the kirk had a pathy pleader for her precedencie in publiâ—ke For after the Lord commissioners speech the Lord Chancellour spake for the kirkes right alleadging that both reason and custome required that the kirk haue the first place and for that cause giveth direction that the Act concerning the kirk meaning the fiue articles and ratification thereof bee first read Archip. What speech meane yee of the Lord Commissioner Epaph. When all were now entred into the house and were set in their owne places after deep silence he had a preface for voting short but vehement partly exhortatorie for yeelding to the fiue Articles of Perâ—â—â—â—artly apologetick for defence of his Ma against surmises of Popish religion partly declaratory attesting that there was nothing under heaven that could be so acceptable to his Majestie as that the Kirk of Scotland would receiue these fiue Articles and partly promissorie that he would ingage his honor saith credit upon that princely word which his Maiesty past to him that if they would receiue these 5 articles at that time his Highnes would never burden them with any more ceremonies during his life time according to a promise uttâ—â—â—ed by the Bishop of Aberdein to the same meaning for casing the way to the articles but without such reply as was made to him by a Noble man that hee was too liberall of his promises having no assurance for his Majesty would not bind himselfe after that sort Archip. That prefaâ—e was a strong cup of digestion Epaph. And was well seconded with the sweet sauce of my Lord Chancellors oration composed of two ingredients loue and learning For after he had pleaded in his Exordium for the Church her dignitie it is saith his L. an evident declaration of his Ma. loue to God and religion that he hath so great care of the Kirk and as for matters proponed they require not much disputation being already concluded by learned Bishops Fathers Doctors Pastors convened at Perth for that effect After this confirmation the Lord Commissioner addeth the confutation for against the apprehension surmise that his Maiestie was resolved to make this kirk in all things conforme to the Church of England he did assume that his Ma. willed him to signifie unto them that these being once concluded he would urge no other rite nor ceremonie and that by their according to these they would give singular declaration of their loyalty and therfore requested to take heed how they voted Archip. Was there no mouth opened at this time to make reply or to offer reason in the contrary Epaph. No place was lâ—â—t for reason onely against that summary form of proceeding the promise made to the Nobility for having the conclusions of the Lords of Articles 24 houres at least before they were voted in publiâ—ke was timously remembred and urged by a Noble man to the effect they might proceed with deliberation according to the worth of matters especially the acts being long and of great consequence and not to give suddain iudgment like as many ciphers as in effect sayd he they were made by that form of dealing I will not trouble you with the answer made to reasonable a motion and bitter repulse of all further deliberation but I will draw now to the conclusion Epaph.
he neither can finde out the cause nor make any good use of the particulars Archip. Ye know both the truth of the generall and the true cause thereof and therefore let me know the particular Epaph. Vpon that last day of the Parliament before foure houres after noone vvhen all the Actes vvere now concluded and mens hearts vvere insulting upon the Defenders glorying in their own vvittie counsels rejoycing in their great successâ— gaping for great thankes and reward and wishing every one he vvere the first reporter that he might be carver of his own praise as if he had recovered the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Palatinat The Lord Commissioner rising from his throne for ratifying all that vvas done by touch of the Scepter vvas trysted by the God of heaven For at the verie moment of that ratification the heavens send in through the vvhole vvindowes of the house an extraordinarie great lightning after the first a second more glancing and then a third most terrible of all Immediately after the lightnings an unâ—outh and extraordinarie darkenes for the suddennesse and greatnesse therof astonishing all and couching the insolent joyes of some The lightning vvere seconded vvith three louâ— blasts of thunder in sound and short continuance of every blast like the shot of some Cannon extraordinary great and were taken by many vvithin the house of Parliament to be shotts from the Castle It appeared to all that dwelt within ten or twelue miles that the clowdes stood right aboue the town and that the darkenesse overshadowed that part onely By one of the blasts the Beacon standing in the entry of Leith haven vvas beaten down After the lightnings darknes and thundering their fell down a shoure of haile stones extraordinary great and last of all a strange raine making the streetes to runne like rivers imprisoning the Lords about the space of an houre and a halfe and straitly forbidding to honour these fiue Articles vvith ordinarie pompe and solemnity So that the servants rode home on the footmantles and the Masters vvith drew themselues some by coach and some on foot through the neerest privie wayes Next as if the heavens had resolved never to countenance these ill-gotten creatures upon Munday the 20 of August vvhen the Actâ—s vvere proclaimed the same mâ—â—gâ—ation vvas renewed by thunder si◠〈◊〉 and great raine coâ—â—â—â—ing all the time of the riding at the Crosse And thirdly vvhat hath followed since yee can vvitnesse your selfe The tempests of vvind and raine bâ—gâ—n at that time haue so continued through the uâ—â—outh unseasonaâ—â—â—nesse of the â—â—e harvest in many places S Luke gat not a stâ—wâ—k and the â—â—â—ne universally are shaken and rotten in such measure that never was there in this Country such it equality of â—riâ—es in 〈◊〉 short time never greater feare of famine vvant of â—â—ed to sâ—â— the ground for the next crop It is pittifull to remember if it could be forgotten so long as there is a Kirk in Scotland the impetuous inundations of vvater carrying away vvith their violenâ—e not onely cornes cattle and bridges but houses plenishing people and all Perth hath good reason to call to mind the month of May the yeare 1591 vvherein by certaine commissioners they confessed to the Generall Assembly their rash and suddain receiving of the apostat Lords troublers of Kirk and Kingdome and promised never to giue suâ—h occasion in time comming but to assist and maintaine the Kirk of God and the true Religion presently professed vvithin thâ—â— Realme as at more length is contained iâ— theâ—â— own confesâ—ion From the months of March 1â—â—6 and August 1618 vvherein râ—sâ—eâ—â—â— vvas both begun and câ—ncluded that unhappie chaâ—ge whâ— iâ— hath been and is a cursed mother of many miseries to this Kirk and Kingdome unto vvhich howsoever they were disposed it vvas openly spoken in the publiâ—k meeting that they were inclinable And if it were so they 〈…〉 as farre from their first promâ—sâ— as thâ—y inclined to that altâ—â—ation Item Item the moneth of Octob. 1621 vvherein the 〈◊〉 and rumbling of vvaters and fear and danger vvithin their 〈◊〉 sends them to seek their safety by the losse of their faâ—â— â—â—â—ly bridge vvith such affection as the merchant casts his goods in the sea or the owner runnes his ship on ground for safety of mens lâ—ues The Lord had an eye to the teares of their sorrow and hâ—ard their cryes from the depths he releeved and saved them and they stand his debters of themsâ—lues for their great redemption and that wonderfull deliverance And likewise the town of Berwick did see the unresistable rage of Tweed by whose violence was hurled away not onely their ancient vvodden bridge but that new and strong one sinely builded of stone no lesse destinate to beare that honourable remembrance Hoc uno ponte duo regna conjunxi Deus diu conjuncta consâ—rvet then to be a common servant to the North and South parts of this Iland It is moreover pittifull to heare the lamentation of vvidowes children and friends at home for the lâ—sse of their deere husbands loving fathers and trustie and tender friends by sea and specially in those townes that are most zâ—alous to follow novelties in religion and also pittiful to remember the great regrat of Borgh and Land for vvant of fewel to prepare their meat and drinke and refresh their persons against the injuries of the vehement cold And yet few strikes upon the thigh and askes why are all these things come upon us But for further humiliation the Lords hands is yet stretched out to see if any vvill repent and returne For before the vvearisome end of this unseasonable harvest and the vvheat seed which farre by the ordinarie custome of this Country vvas not begun in December there is come on a heavie Winter vvith great hunger and cold striking all that haue fore sight vvith feare and care to ease themselues of such persons as they may spare and to liue as retired as possible they can and daily increasing pittifull cryes not onely of vagabond beggars but of many honest persons who if they had employment as before were able to succour themselues by the fruit of their labours What the spring and summer following may bring forth of such beginnings it is hard for us to inquire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Read Euseb l. 9. cap. 7. after him Niceph. l. 7 cap. 28. Rules for reducing the iudgements of God to their own proper causes and best for all To watch and pray to be zealous and amend and to resolue to exercise their patience and charitie as the Lord hath measured unto them Archip. I know that the providence of God ruleth and the fin of man procureth all judgements and afflictions And I thank my God I haue learned against the Atheisme of the times some rules to direct me how to reduce particular judgements to particular causes and to father them right upon their owne deserving sinnes As 1 by denunciation in the word
continentuâ— proinde nullius esse pretii D. Morio But lest ye be miscarryed any longer in this point I aske first if the Romane Kirk vvould enjoyne Chrisme extreme unction holy Water vvhich D. Morton alledgeth for examples against the Papists onely as Traditionall or in their nature indifferent and not as things necessary to salvation vvhether vvould his vvords make against her See ye not because these things are not contained in holy Scripture therefore to be of no vvorth for the observation of such ceremonies are not in Scripture more then the superstition of them I aske next whether the Crosse in Baptisme Surplice Holy-daies kneeling at the Communion c. may not bee ranked vvith Chrisme holy water c. that opinion of necessity being removed Thirdly I aske vvhether a simple affirmation that the ceremonies questioned are indifferent vvith a subtill and vehement urging of them more then of matters of greatest necessity vvithout any demonstration of their indifferencie be either sufficient proofes that they are intended for things indifferent by the Vrgers or sufficient information to Pastors and people to judge of them as of things indifferent Doe not the Lutherans after this manner remoue sacramentall fraction defend their images Auricular Confession And vvhat ceremony is there in all Paganisme Iudaisme vvhat amongst the Papists or Lutherans vvhat of the vvhole Altar of Damascus that may not be brought in under the vale of Indifferency If it be sufficient to say that it is not urged as necessary to salvatioÌ„ He that enforceth theÌ„ as necessarie affirmeth they are indifferent he that practiseth vvith theÌ„ preacheth against them is like him Prou. 26. As a man who casteth fire-brands arrowes and death so is the man that deceiveth his neighbour and saith Am not I in sport Practise command compulsion are better copies of the mind then profession in men who pretend they doe nothing against conscience And people vvho are more moved vvith vvhat they see then vvhat they heare Quid verbâ— audiam cum facta videam Vos nunime fugiunt concâ—atus quibus angebatur conscientiae mea propter illam quam sequebar vitae vationem innumeris quotidie superstitionibus connivendum erat Superstitiosâ—ritus non solum mihi peragendi virumetiam ab aliis impâ—rtuâ—â— exigendi multa faciebam aliter quam sentiebam docebam p. 1073. may say vvhat doe vve heare vvords vvhile wee see deeds Were there hearts as free of the vvorld as P. Martyrs vvas they vvould perhaps deplore their case vvith him and confesse the vexation of their conscience in practising and urging rites of that sort as he did Archip. I see now that albeit the multitude of precepts be not so great yet the divine direction is as plaine and perfect under the Gospell as ever it was before Come to the second part of the comparison betwixt Ecclesiastick constitutions under the Law and under the Gospell vvherin I foresee the greatest difficulties Epaph. Second sort compared Heere indeed properly commeth in the consideration of things indifferent by Ecclesiasticall authority determinable a subject in Divinity most like that of time place motion in naturall Philosophy If yee aske not vvhat they are every man knoweth But if aske vvhat they are no man can tell you A subject disputed mightily but determined weakly as most neerely touching the outward face of every Kirk in the eyes of the world and the crownes and bellies of Kirkmen in their own feeling And hence on all sides so full of prejudice and heat of contention that it hath almost ruined the Kingdome of Christ set up the kingdome of Antichrist divided Pastors offended people dismembred the Kirk and onely not put out the very life of true piety Oh that it would please the Lord at last to pitie the Kirke redeemed with his bloud and that vine vvhich his right hand hath planted O Lord our God who hast in former times gotten renowme to thy name amongst us and seest how this day we are become a reproach to all that are about us cause yet thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate for the Lords sake O Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord hearken and doe deferre not for thy owne sake ô our God for thy people are called by thy name Open our eyes ô father of Lights for if we be so blind in things lying before our feet what know we in the high mysteries of the Gospell if we swimme in these shallow foords of practise how shall we wade the bottomlesse seas of thy vvisedome Giue us the simplicitie of the Lamb banish from us procacitie and disdainfull sharpnesse of vvit subdue our distempered affections that vve presume not to frame rules for thy worship cut them off vvho seek to please themselues by displeasing thee vvho build up their worldly estates upon the ruines of thy Kirk Saue us all from perfidiousnesse against thee and that deere mother Kirk in vvhose bowels we haue our first and second birth and in vvhose skirts we are nursed to this day Behold hee commeth in the clouds and every eye shall see him and they also who pearced him and all kinreds of the earth shall waile because of him even so Amen Archip. Thrice happy were that man vvhom the Lord would honour to be an instrument of Pacification by manifesting the truth to every mans conscience in this so long-lasting controversie I see that the most part agree in the generall both about the nature and about the use of things indifferent As enuntiations of things contingent are necessary and not contingent So the generall Aâ—iomes of things indifferent and variable are not indifferent but invariable in all ages and nations Sicut singularium coÌ„tingentiuÌ„ ita indifferentium dâ—tarenta scientia in actu signato The true doctrine of indifferencie is the same in Scotland England Germany c. The same in the times of the old and new Testament The Apostolick rules of respect to Gods glory to order and decency to scandall and edification are no new precepts but the exposition of the law Morall requiring loue to God our neighbour and transgressed as well by the Pharisees of old as by their successors since Wherein then standeth the greatest diversity and difficulty Epaph. Ye will finde it to be in the Application of these generall rules to the particulars controverted in diverse Kirkes The Roman Kirk hath an unwritten Word for all that they vvill haue embraced beside that vvhich they finde in Scripture The Lutherane Kirks hold somethings for indifferent vvhich the Kirk of England findeth to be condemned in the Word and England defends a multitude of Ordinances about Discipline and ceremonies for indifferent vvhich vve take to be unlawfull and besides the warrant of the Word the matter going vvith severall Kirks every one judging according to her own measure of Reformation as vvith severall Christians every one judging according to his owne degree of grace and regeneration And